This is a 4th yr student who did not match this year. I had to think about prelim vs research spot and chose to go through the SOAP and found a good prelim spot. There are a few Research spots out there however that I am still thinking I would like to apply for. Spots where I feel I have already made connections and would have a very good chance of getting in after the research. With all the changes in this years match it seems to have forced our hand this year to make a decision on only applying to research vs SOAP.
At this point would it be a very bad idea to still apply to research spots having accepted a prelim surg spot? Would they even let me out of my prelim spot? From what I have heard they were not as strict about letting people out of spots they scrambled into as they are going to be with people who got spots via SOAP this year.
Any incite or advice would be greatly appreciated
Unfortunately if you read the policy and procedures of the SOAP process it is identical to the 1st match - namely that it is a binding contract and breach of that contract will lead to bad things.
I do not think you have many options. You could contact the preliminary program into which you matched and ask them if they would release you from your contract but I think this would not likely be in your best interest. You need to tread very lightly on this on I'm afraid --
